The Mercury dime is a ten-cent coin struck by the United States Mint from 1916 to 1945. Designed by Adolph Weinman and also referred to as the Winged Liberty Head dime, it gained its common name as the obverse depiction of a young Liberty, identifiable by her winged Phrygian cap, was confused with the Roman god Mercury. Weinman is believed to have used Elsie Stevens, the wife of lawyer and poet Wallace Stevens, as a model. The coin's reverse depicts a fasces, symbolizing unity and strength, and an olive branch, signifying peace.

By 1916, the dime, quarter, and half dollar designed by Mint Chief Engraver Charles E. Barber had been struck for 25 years, and could be replaced by the Treasury, of which the Mint is a part, without Congressional authorization. Mint officials were under the misapprehension that the designs had to be changed, and held a competition among three sculptors, in which Barber, who had been in his position for 36 years, also took part. Weinman's designs for the dime and half dollar were selected.

Although the new coin's design was admired for its beauty, the Mint made modifications to it upon learning that vending machine manufacturers were having difficulties making the new dime work in their devices. The coin continued to be minted until 1945, when the Treasury ordered that a new design, featuring recently deceased president Franklin Roosevelt, take its place.

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Elsie Stevens muse of Adolph A. Weinman

The dime that Weinman designed became known as the famous silver Mercury Dime and his silver half dollar is known as the Walking Liberty Half Dollar. The designs of both of these coins were actually inspired by a real person named Elsie Kachel Stevens. Weinman actually sculpted a bust of her 3 years earlier in 1913. The dime features the detailed face of Elsie Stevens while the walking liberty features part of her full figure on the half dollar.

Above Image: Depicts the bust of Elsie Stevens that Adolph A. Weinman sculpted in 1913 - the same bust used for the inspiration of the Mercury Dime.

The reason this dime is called the Mercury dime is because the obverse depicts what looks like the Roman god Mercury. Some people may initially find it strange that the United States depicts a Roman god on their US coinage. The truth is, it's not actually the god Mercury on the coin. Instead, it's a young female liberty wearing a winged Phrygian cap. Under unbelievable irony, the Phrygian cap itself was actually used in the ancient Roman times to symbolize being freed from slavery of the Roman Empire and it represents freedom and the pursuit of liberty. The Mercury Dime is also referred to, and rightly known as the Winged Liberty Head dime. Although the term Mercury dime is used far more often as the more popular name.

The dime was produced starting in 1916 and lasted until 1945 when he design would be changed after World War II to honor President Roosevelt. The half dollar also started in 1916 and was produced until 1947. The walking liberty design would not end permanently. In fact, it was brought back again in 1986 and was used as the obverse of the 1 ounce American Silver Eagle dollar bullion coin. This coin is especially popular today, especially due to the increase in the value of silver coins because of the precious silver bullion metal prices.